Tustin PD welcomes two new officers

The Tustin Police Department is welcoming two new officers to its family.

With family members, friends and colleagues looking on during a swearing-in ceremony on Aug. 15, Robert Toth, 28 and Justin Baeza, 31, were sworn into their positions by Tustin PD Chief Stu Greenberg.

Members of the Class of 236 take the Oath of Office at the conclusion of Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy’s graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

“I applied to multiple (agencies) but this is one of the ones I really liked … the values and everything,” said Toth, a 2018 Cal State Fullerton graduate with a degree in business marketing. “Once I got the interview and the process started rolling along, and I met everybody here, I just knew it was going to be a family and somewhere I wanted to work.”

Tustin PD Recruit Robert Toth, center, lines up with his classmates at the start of the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Toth graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, where he played for the Chargers storied football team under legendary Coach Dave White.

“Since I was young, I always wanted to be a cop or a firefighter,” Toth said. “ I decided to become a police officer and just ran with it.”

Baeza then changed direction again when deciding to pursue a career in law enforcement.

He was hired by Tustin PD in January.

“There are no words for this moment,” Baeza said. “It’s an opportunity … something I’ve been working at for a really long time. Just with the support of my family, I’ve accomplished this and I’m looking forward to serving the City of Tustin. Tustin has a great reputation – great people, family-oriented and serious police work. The opportunity was given to me and now I’m here.”

Tustin PD Officer Justin Baeza with his new badge pinned to him by his girlfriend, Hannah, and his daughter during a swearing-in ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

In a second ceremony that took place later that day in front of a larger crowd at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy, Toth and Baeza were among the 53 graduates of Basic Academy Class 236, once again taking an oath of office, this one administered by Sheriff Don Barnes.

Chief Greenberg was the keynote speaker for the academy graduation.

Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg gives the keynote address as police chiefs from the other police agencies with graduates sit on stage during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy’s Class of 236 graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

“In my opinion, law enforcement is the most honorable profession on the planet, and you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished already,” Greenberg told the graduates. “You join a law enforcement family and that law enforcement family runs throughout this room, throughout the county, throughout the state and throughout the nation”

Greenberg went on to point out the current challenges faced by law enforcement officers including the drug epidemic, homeless crisis and mental health crisis, along with more intense scrutiny by the public and the media than ever before.

Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg gives the keynote address as police chiefs from the other police agencies with graduates sit on stage during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy’s Class of 236 graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

The chief discussed the dangers of the profession and mentioned the recent shooting death of CHP Officer Andre Moye and wounding of six police officers in Philadelphia, Penn.

He talked about new laws that seem to favor the criminals over citizens and the police.

But there is a huge upside to the career, Greenberg said.

“We work in a profession that is exciting and fulfilling,” Greenberg said. “We get to help people in their time of need. Occasionally, we get to save lives.”

Tustin PD’s newest officer, Robert Toth, receives his new badge from his fiancé, Myranda Cate, left, during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Tustin PD’s newest officer, Justin Baeza, receives his new badge from his girlfriend, Hannah, and his daughter during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Family and friends gather at Tustin Police Headquarters as Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, right, administers the oath of office to Tustin PD’s newest Officers, Justin Baeza, stage left, and Robert Toth during a swearing-in ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge